Storyboard18 - To Her, With Love: HUL's Priya Nair on how her mother inspired her to go back to school
Nair, who is executive director, Beauty and Personal Care (BPC) for Hindustan Unilever, and Executive VP - BPC, Unilever South Asia, says "learning agility" is critical in management—something she learnt from her mother
My strongest female role model has been my mother. Of course, every child feels that their mother is the best mom ever. My true inspiration comes from what I have learnt from her.
At 77, she is a practising doctor who runs a clinic in the back alleys of Mumbai, serving underprivileged patients with meagre charges. It’s from her that I have learnt the power of purpose, to keep yourself going at all costs. She has, like many doctors during the pandemic, continued to serve her patients selflessly. She did contract Covid-19 but fortunately recovered well.
The second lesson I have learnt is to keep learning. I have watched my mother attend numerous seminars and forums, constantly reading and keeping abreast of all the advancements in her field and taking notes for herself—all while being a septuagenarian. This learning agility is critical in management, as we see the world change at an increasing speed. Constant learning, not just on the job but also learning from peers and industry, is critical for sharpening your skills and for personal development.